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NASB | Philippians 2:12 ¶ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Philippians 2:12 ¶ So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. |
Bible Question: In verses 12-13 Paul says you are to "work out your salvation" because God "works in you." How are these ideas related? |
Bible Answer: I personally see a simple answer to this question. Once we become saved, the Christian walk is our responsibility. 1 Thess. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more Actually to "walk" is a command, to follow up in obedience to the command is our responsibility. It is even possible for one to refuse to "walk in the light" 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin The above verse has the conditional word "if" which can be either positive if we walk in obedience, or in a negative aspect if we refuse to walk in obedience. To make a long anwer short. We must choose to willingly co-operate with God, God never forces us to obey and walk in the light. Thats a daily choice each of us has to make. Co-operate is the key word. Synergism is another word often used for co-operate Synergism in the sense in which I use the word simply seeks to reconcile two paradoxical truths: the sovereignty of God and man's moral responsibility. New Creature |